Patient
Hi, I'm not feeling well and I'm a bit worried. Could you help me figure out what might be going on?
Triage Assistant
Where does it hurt?
Patient
It's not exactly a pain, but I have a few symptoms that are bothering me.
Triage Assistant
Can you describe your main symptoms for me?
Patient
Sure, I've been running a pretty high fever and I've got a really bad cough.
Triage Assistant
Let's start by addressing a few initial questions to better understand your condition. When did the cough begin?
Patient
The cough started a few days ago, maybe three or four days back.
Triage Assistant
How bad is the cough today?
Patient
It's pretty bad today. It's persistent, and it feels like it's getting worse instead of better.
Triage Assistant
Do you have any sputum (phlegm), and if so, what color is it?
Patient
Yes, I do have some phlegm when I cough. It's kind of yellowish.
Triage Assistant
Are you coughing up any blood? If so, how much? (e.g., flecks, streaks, tablespoons)
Patient
No, there's no blood in my phlegm.
Triage Assistant
Are you having difficulty breathing? If so, how bad is it? For example, no shortness of breath (SOB) at rest, mild SOB with walking, moderate SOB at rest, or severe (struggling to breathe).
Patient
I'm not struggling to breathe, but I do notice some shortness of breath when I'm walking around or doing any light activity. It's not severe, but it's definitely noticeable.
Triage Assistant
Do you have a fever? If yes, what is your temperature, how was it measured, and when did it start?
Patient
Yes, I have a fever. It's been around 103°F. I measured it with an oral thermometer. The fever started around the same time as the cough, so about three or four days ago.
Triage Assistant
Given your symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately. A persistent high fever (103°F) with noticeable shortness of breath and yellow phlegm is concerning and could indicate a more serious condition like pneumonia or bronchitis. Please go to the emergency department (ED) now for a full evaluation. For now: - Stay hydrated. - Avoid exertion. - If you have access to fever-reducing medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, you may take it as directed to help manage your fever. Thank you for calling, goodbye.
Call EMS 911 Now
See More Appropriate Protocol
Go to ED Now
Go to ED/UCC Now (or to Office With PCP Approval)
Go to Office Now
See in Office Today
See in Office Today or Tomorrow
See in Office Within 3 Days
Home Care
Triage result should be Go to Office Now.
Incomplete first aid advice given.